Teams are still being organized for the 10th annual Tony O’Rear Bowl for Life tournament Sunday to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Sessions will start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Road.
The event has raised more than $105,000 for St. Jude.
This year, bowlers will be treated to a performance by up-and-coming country singer Rachel Holder. She will perform selections from her debut CD starting at 1 p.m.
Tony O’Rear was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a disease that prevents bone marrow from producing platelets properly, when he was 11 years old. Despite vigorous treatment, including a bone marrow transplant, Tony developed complications and passed away at age 12. Since that time, Tony’s family and friends have organized the annual event to celebrate his life and the work of the doctors and researchers at St. Jude.
“Although Tony’s outcome is not what any parent would want for their child, we are convinced that St. Jude’s provided the most outstanding treatment and did everything in their power to save Tony,” said Barbara Breedwell, Tony’s mom.
“Even more impressive was their compassion, not only for Tony but all the children at St. Jude,” added Tony’s dad, Michael O’Rear. “It is because of that compassion that we will always love St. Jude and will strive to help them fight the evils of childhood cancer.”
Cost for a team of four is $150. Teams are asked to register in advance by calling Barbara Breedwell at 870-4476. Sponsorships also are available for $250, $100 and $50.